Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my colleagues who have presented petitions in support of Bill C-400.

I also have a pile of petitions from Canadians across the country, Canadians of all ages and social classes, who are calling on the government to step up and adopt a national housing strategy, so that all Canadians have access to secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing.

The first petition is from residents primarily in the Vancouver area. The petitioners call upon the House to take steps for a legislated tanker ban for supertankers along the coastline of British Columbia, bringing into legal effect the ban that has been in place since 1972.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to present petitions that call on Parliament to ensure secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing for Canadians. I can say that the need for affordable housing is as strong in my riding of Algoma—Manitoulin—Kapuskasing as it is in major Canadian cities.

The petitioners point out that almost 13% of Canadian households are in core housing need. They remind the House that access to affordable housing is defined as a fundamental right under the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. Despite the obvious need, Canada remains the only industrialized country without a housing strategy.

With that in mind, the petitioners ask Parliament to support Bill C-400, which would give Canada a national housing strategy.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am presenting a petition in the House concerning old age security and the guaranteed income supplement.

Because the Conservatives decided to raise the age of eligibility for old age security; because economists have shown that this change is not necessary to ensure the program's viability; and because this change will likely hurt many seniors, especially those living in poverty, the petitioners ask that the government maintain the age of eligibility for OAS at 65 and increase the guaranteed income supplement to lift every Canadian senior out of poverty.

Mr. Speaker, it is a great honour to rise today to table a petition in support of Bill C-400.

The petitioners point out that Canada is the only industrialized nation without a national housing strategy. Perhaps that is why 1.5 million households, many of which are in my riding, Laurier-Sainte-Marie, are in core housing need.

I find this issue extremely important. The petitioners ask that we support Bill C-400.

Mr. Speaker, as many members in the House know, safe, affordable, decent housing is absolutely central to the well-being of any family. Despite that, nearly 1.5 million Canadian households do not have the kind of housing they need in order to organize their lives, look after their kids and make a real contribution to community.

With that in mind, the petitioners in question have signed a petition in which they call upon the House of Commons to pass Bill C-400 so we can have a national housing strategy that would ensure the right of every Canadian to a decent and affordable home.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce a petition signed by many Canadians who have recognized the serious lack of affordable housing in the country and the need for some federal responsibility and some leadership on this issue.

The petitioners have witnessed Bill C-400, which calls on the federal government develop a national housing strategy. They ask us to support Bill C-400 and to bring this matter to the attention of the government and to other Canadians.

Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to table a petition in support of Bill C-400, which would ensure that all Canadians have access to secure, adequate, accessible and affordable housing. The housing problem is acute in my riding, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier.

The need is great in every part of the country. The time has come for government to act and develop a housing strategy. That is what the petitioners are asking for.

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. This is the third time I have risen on this issue. When members give petitions in the House, the idea is for them to give the petition based on their constituents and not to add their own editorial regarding whether they support it or not. I think, Mr. Speaker, if you review the Standing Orders, you will find that is the case. I wanted to bring that to your attention.

I appreciate the intervention on the part of the member for Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Westdale. He is in fact correct. Members are encouraged to present petitions in a neutral fashion on behalf of the petitioners who present these remarks and suggestions and recommendations to Parliament and to the government as the case may be.

Mr. Speaker, I will try to remain as neutral as possible. It seems to be the current fashion.

That being said, people do have concerns.

Canada is the only industrialized country without a strategy. As I was going through this exercise of standing up and sitting down, I checked the petitioners' names and places of residence. I recognized people from my riding, as well as other people I know who live outside the riding. It is a universal problem.

When will the government take concrete measures to address this issue?